Like rap? So does Hiroshi Sakaue, an 85 year old Hip-Hopper living in Tokyo. Look out Snoop, there's a new man in town, representing the east side. Far East Side, beeeyatch.

I know, I know; It may seem that all of my blurbs recently are about old people. But its not from a lack of respect, or even a dislike of the aged. In fact, its quite the opposite: My grandparents are some of the coolest people I know. I adore them, just as I am sure Mr. Sakaue's gandkids must think he's the coolest thing since Pokemon. Or at least since toilet paper hats. After all, this guy is one hip geezer.

And of course, all this posting about the aged could just be in response to Japan's steadily aging population. Social roles that were once reserved for the "punk kids" are now being preserved by their older counterparts. Take one look at Sakaue San's lyrics in his hit song "Kotsu Jigoku," or "Traffic Hell", and you won't question his resolve, or talent for that matter.

"Riding along the Koshu-Kaido road on my bike,"

"Insurance compensation worth 30 million,"

"Then Linda came along,"

"And she took it all. Oh, No!"

These lyrics, based on a true story about a traffic accident and the subsequent blowing of all his Insurance cash at Hostess bars, show for once and for all, that this guy means business (Oh No!). His current project is a new Album called "Hachi Jigoku," or "Bee Hell."

For better or worse, Hiroshi Sakaue is here to stay. For a while anyway.

View the whole article at Asahi.